The World's First Hydroelectric Power Station Starts Operating
On September 30, 1882, the Vulcan Street Plant in Appleton, Wisconsin, became the world's first hydroelectric power station.
The Orient Express Makes Its First Journey
On October 4, 1883, the Orient Express left Paris on its first run, bound for the Ottoman capital.
The Washington Monument Opens to the Public
The Washington Monument opened to the public on October 9, 1888, 36 years after construction began and four years after it was finished.
The Wright Brothers Fly 24 Miles
On October 5, 1905, Wilbur Wright flew 24 miles in 39 minutes, a record that stood until 1908.
The Gamboa Dike Is Blown, Completing the Panama Canal
The Gamboa dike was blown on October 10, 1913, flooding the Culebra Cut and completing the Panama Canal after 33 years of work.
The Liner Queen Mary Is Launched at Clydebank
On September 26, 1934, the Queen Mary was launched at Clydebank, the largest British liner built to that date.
Hoover Dam Is Dedicated
On September 30, 1935, Franklin Roosevelt dedicated Hoover Dam, the tallest dam in the world, on the Colorado River.
The First V-2 Rocket Reaches Space
On October 3, 1942, a German V-2 rocket reached 84.5 km, the first man-made object to reach space.
Soichiro Honda Founds the Honda Motor Company
On September 24, 1948, Soichiro Honda founded the Honda Motor Company in Japan with 34 workers and a bicycle engine.
TAT-1, the First Transatlantic Telephone Cable, Opens
On September 25, 1956, TAT-1 opened as the first transatlantic telephone cable, carrying 36 simultaneous calls between Britain and North America.
The USS Enterprise, First Nuclear-Powered Aircraft Carrier, Is Launched
On September 24, 1960, the USS Enterprise was launched at Newport News, the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in the world.
The Vajont Landslide Sends a Wave Over the Dam and Into Longarone
A landslide into the Vajont reservoir on October 9, 1963 sent a wave over the dam and destroyed Longarone, killing around 2,000 people.
Japan's Shinkansen Begins High-Speed Service
On October 1, 1964, Japan's Tokaido Shinkansen opened between Tokyo and Osaka at 210 km/h.
The Yellow River Is Diverted at Xiaolangdi
On October 28, 1997, the Yellow river was diverted at Xiaolangdi and the dam was closed, a key step in a large flood control project.
China Launches Shenzhou 7 with Three Astronauts
On September 25, 2008, China launched Shenzhou 7, and Zhai Zhigang performed the first Chinese spacewalk two days later.
The Last of the 33 Chilean Miners Is Brought to the Surface
The last of 33 miners trapped in Chile's San Jose mine was rescued on October 13, 2010, after 69 days underground.